Mental Health – in the workplace

What is mental health?What are mental health problems?What is the impact on work? Stigma - this is a health problemIn work supportManaging Mental Health

About Mind

• Leading mental health charity in England and Wales

• 171 LMAs

• Combines campaigning with service provision

• Independence gives us the freedom to stand up and speak out

• 60 years of experience working with and employing people with mental health problems

Who is affected by mental health problems?

1 in 4 people suffer from a mental health problem at some point in their lives.

Nearly three in every ten employees will have a mental health problem in any one year

People with Mental Health issues are twice as likely to be unemployed as any other disabled group

70% of employers recognise the prevalence of mental health problems yet only around 17% of employers recognise this national average is likely to apply to their people. – The Last Taboo in the

workplace- Shaw Trust

Areas of direct impact on work:

• ABSENTEEISM: £8.4 billion a year in sickness absence. The average employee takes seven days off sick each year of which 40 per cent are for mental health problems. This adds up to 70 million lost working days a year, including one in seven directly caused by a person’s work or working conditions.

• PRESENTEEISM: £15.1 billion a year in reduced

productivity at work. ‘Presenteeism’ accounts for 1.5 times as much working time lost as absenteeism and costs more to employers because it is more common among higher-paid staff.

•RECRUITMENT COSTS £2.4 billon a year in replacing staff who leave their jobs because of mental ill health.

Impact on Work

Stigma

What is it?

How does it manifest itself?

How does it affect individuals?

How does it affect society?

Does it serve a purpose?

What is good Mental Health?

What is good Mental Health?

Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders

A state of well-being in which the individual:• Realises his or her own abilities• Copes with the normal stresses of life• Works productively and fruitfully• Is able to make a contribution to his or her community

(World Health Organisation)

What is Mental Ill-Health?

What is a Mental Health Problem?

A more than temporary state of mind that adversely effects your ability to function on a day to day basis.

Examples

Depression, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Bi-Polar Disorder, Phobias, Schizophrenia & Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

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Common types of Mental health problems

Neurosis or Psychosis?

Most common types:

Depression Anxiety disorder Panic Attacks

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Phobia’s

Bi-polar disorder Schizophrenia

Personality Disorder

Stress or Pressure?

Performance

Pressure Stress

Stress - HSE definition: "The adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them at work."

Mental Health &Performance - Presenteeism

Health Performance

How are they related?

Making Work Work - Awareness & Understanding

Lack of Awareness

Cant see it, cant do anything about it

Can see it, don’t know what to do!

Making Work Work –

www.inworksupport.org.uk

Return to Work PlansCommunication techniquesConfidence buildingImplementing reasonable adjustments or actionsMediation between employer and employeeUsing the parachute tool to help pinpoint the issues Signposting to appropriate services such as counselling

Making work work –Parachutes

1.In your own words what is your health condition?

2.How would you or others know if your health has deteriorated?

3.What would you or others then do?

Making Work Work-Summary

1. Know Thyself

2. Listen to self

3. Look/ Listen to others

4. Take your mental health seriously – like physical!

5. Seek Help –int or ext

6. Cultivate openness

7. Be present

You